Italy is one of the most cycling crazy nations in the world. The pro race season wraps up with several one day races in Northern Italy in the Piedmont wine region. If that wasn't reason enough to feature an Italian wine smack down, then the announcement of the 100th edition of the Giro d' Italia certainly is!
The Giro del Piemonte took place at the end of September with Italian Champion Giacomo Nizzolo taking a sprint victory on his home soil.
A few weeks later the route for the 100th edition of the Giro d'Italia was unveiled. The 2017 route will start in Southern Italy, on the island of Sardinia. The race will work its way North concluding in Milan after three breathtaking weeks of racing.
The next few Lucha Vino matchups will feature Casa Smith Italian inspired wines taking on a bevy of Italian challengers.
First up, this week's matchup features a Washington Barbera from Casa Smith taking on an Italian challenger from the Barbera d'Alba DOC.
2014 Casa Smith Barbera v. 2013 G.D. Vajra Barbera d'Alba
Showing posts with label WA v. Piemonte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WA v. Piemonte. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Washington Barbera vs. Piemonte
The past two weeks have featured several major races in Northern Italy. Milan San Remo is one of the biggest single day classics on the pro racer's calendar. What makes the race unique is the distance. Milan San Remo is the longest race of the season at 298 km. The Pogio and Cipressa are well known climbs that come near the finish of the race. Even though these hills are given special reverence, they rarely make a substantial difference in the outcome of the race.
This year was somewhat different. There was a crash near the base of the Cipressa that caught out the eventual winner, Arnaud Demare, the first Frenchman to win La Classicissima in 21 years. The issue at hand is the question: Did he, or Didn't he? There is a controversy surrounding how Demare was able to reconnect with the lead group after being caught behind the crash on the Cipressa. His race data suggests that Demare recorded the fastest time up the Cipressa. Sprinters aren't known for their hill climbing capabilities. They are known for occasionally getting a favorable tow up a hill by their team car. We may never know the truth. Unfortunately, this could leave a dark shadow over Demare's victory.
This week's challenge salutes the first of the Spring Classic Monuments with a matchup that features Washington Barbera taking on Piemonte.
2013 Hard Row to Hoe Barbera vs. 2013 Etorre Germano Barbera d'Alba
This year was somewhat different. There was a crash near the base of the Cipressa that caught out the eventual winner, Arnaud Demare, the first Frenchman to win La Classicissima in 21 years. The issue at hand is the question: Did he, or Didn't he? There is a controversy surrounding how Demare was able to reconnect with the lead group after being caught behind the crash on the Cipressa. His race data suggests that Demare recorded the fastest time up the Cipressa. Sprinters aren't known for their hill climbing capabilities. They are known for occasionally getting a favorable tow up a hill by their team car. We may never know the truth. Unfortunately, this could leave a dark shadow over Demare's victory.
This week's challenge salutes the first of the Spring Classic Monuments with a matchup that features Washington Barbera taking on Piemonte.
2013 Hard Row to Hoe Barbera vs. 2013 Etorre Germano Barbera d'Alba
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Washington Nebbiolo vs. Barolo
The Giro d' Italia just completed this past weekend. This year's route started and finished in Northern Italy with plenty of action in the first and last week of the race. Alberto Contador took the overall victory after building a lead in the individual time trial and withstanding some fireworks in the final mountain stages.
The Italian favorite, Fabio Aru, finished with style by winning the final two mountain top finishes in the race. Those were good enough to cement his second place finish and to win the Best Young Rider award.
All the action in Northern Italy spills over into this week's Lucha Vino challenge with a Washington Nebiolo taking on a mighty Barolo challenger.
2012 Cotes de Ciel Nebbiolo v. 2011 Vietti Barolo Castiglione
The Italian favorite, Fabio Aru, finished with style by winning the final two mountain top finishes in the race. Those were good enough to cement his second place finish and to win the Best Young Rider award.
All the action in Northern Italy spills over into this week's Lucha Vino challenge with a Washington Nebiolo taking on a mighty Barolo challenger.
2012 Cotes de Ciel Nebbiolo v. 2011 Vietti Barolo Castiglione
Saturday, May 31, 2014
WA Nebbiolo v. Barbaresco
Last week featured an Italian wine lover's dream stage in the Giro d'Italia. A point to point time trial from Barbaresco to Barolo. Are you kidding me? You would have to time me with a calendar if I was doing THAT time trial!
Of course, the pros are paid to race their bikes so there is no time for hanging out and drinking the excellent Northern Italian wines made from the Nebbiolo grapes available in these two areas within the Piemonte region.
My friend, and occasional Lucha Vino contributor, Richard Foxall hit me up to see if I might want to include a feature on Peimonte wines since he happened to be in the region. That question lead to the first truly international Lucha Vino challenge. Richard provides the tasting notes and commentary for the Barbaresco challenger and I provide the counter attack from the Washington Nebbiolo representative.
Of course, the pros are paid to race their bikes so there is no time for hanging out and drinking the excellent Northern Italian wines made from the Nebbiolo grapes available in these two areas within the Piemonte region.
My friend, and occasional Lucha Vino contributor, Richard Foxall hit me up to see if I might want to include a feature on Peimonte wines since he happened to be in the region. That question lead to the first truly international Lucha Vino challenge. Richard provides the tasting notes and commentary for the Barbaresco challenger and I provide the counter attack from the Washington Nebbiolo representative.
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